Governor Stein Honors Bishop Larry Brown in Greensboro

Governor Josh Stein presented the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine to the 88-year-old minister.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Awards

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a stylized metallic pine branch emblem, representing civic service and community honor. — Governor Josh Stein awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Bishop Larry Brown in Greensboro, recognizing his lifelong community service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Governor Josh Stein awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Bishop Larry Brown during a ceremony in Greensboro. The honor recognizes Brown for his lifelong commitment and exemplary service to his community.

Why it matters

The award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the growth and well-being of organizations and communities throughout the state.

Bishop Larry Brown is 88 years old and has long served as a minister at the Taylortown House of Prayer. His advocacy helped secure Taylortown's municipal status, which passed the state Senate with a 40-0 unanimous vote.

The players

Josh Stein

The Governor of North Carolina who presided over the award presentation.

Larry Brown

An 88-year-old bishop and minister at the Taylortown House of Prayer who was honored for his civic service.

James Craven

A former State Representative who introduced the legislation to incorporate Taylortown in 1986.

The details

Bishop Larry Brown, a Moore County resident, was recognized for his instrumental role in establishing Taylortown as a municipality. Along with 25 local residents, he made over 20 visits to Raleigh to lobby the North Carolina General Assembly for the town's incorporation.

North Carolina began awarding The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1963.
A petition to incorporate Taylortown was submitted in June 1986.
Taylortown became a municipality on July 13, 1987.
Bishop Larry Brown received the award on October 14, 2026.

Culture Shift

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine follows a state precedent for recognizing civic contributions that dates back to 1963. This award highlights the ongoing societal value placed on long-term local grassroots activism and community building.

The recognition of local leaders like Bishop Larry Brown encourages residents to engage more deeply with their own municipal governance and community development. This milestone serves as a tangible example of how collective local lobbying can successfully reshape city infrastructure and legal status.

The takeaway

This ceremony highlights the lasting impact of dedicated grassroots advocacy on local municipal development. Citizens can look to such histories to understand how persistent engagement with state representatives can influence local legislative outcomes.